Fence-post.



No- 808,539. I PATENTED DEC. 26, 1905. G. I. GRIGGS. FENCE POST.

APPLICATION FILED MARB, 1904.

51a wenfoz ITE STATES GEORGE IRVING GRIGGS, OF FLINT, MICHIGAN.

FENCE-POST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 26, 1905.

Application filed March 3, 1904. Serial IIO- 196,332-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE IRVING GRIees, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Flint, in the county of Genesee and State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFence-Posts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in metal fence-posts of the typehaving a movable anchor.

The obj eot of the invention is to construct a ribbed post with stops atits lower end to support an anchor which is provided with an openingcorresponding to the shape of the Many other objects and advantages willbe hereinafter referred to and be particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improvedfence-post with a section of the fence secured thereto. Fig. 2 is ahorizontal section on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar view onthe line 3 3, Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 4 is asectional view showing the post tilted.

The same numerals refer to like parts in all the figures.

1 represents a post formed with a flat face 2 and an intermediateoutwardlypro'ecting rib 3, which extends from one side of t e face 2 andthe whole length of the post. The sides 4 of the post taper toward thetop. So, also, does the rib 3. This construction obviously assists inanchoring the post in the ground when it is set up and in use. A seriesof openings 6 are formed in the flat face 2 each side the rib 3 andabove the ground-line, while below the ground-line are teats orprojections 7, the latter being formed by indenting the metal on oneface and forcing it through the other.

9 indicates an anchor, preferably round in plan view and provided withan opening 10 of the shape of the postthat is to say, the opening has arectangular portion 11, in

which fits the flat face of the post, and a lat eral portion 12 toaccommodate the rib 3.

In use the post is placed in its hole and then earth is packed in up toapproximately the projections 7, after which the anchor is slipped overthe top of the post and drops down and is supported on the packed earth.

Earth is now packed in the hole and on top the anchor to the level ofthe ground. A decidedly efiective means is thus cheaply provided foranchoring the post and at the same time preventing frost getting to themetal below the anchor.

By reason of the taper of the post it is normally held in the groundwhen the earth is packed around it; but as there is not surface enoughin contact with the earth to take proper hold the post soon tilts underthe strain of the weight of the fence. However, when the anchor issupplied this difficulty is overcome, as the flat surface of the anchoris quite sufficient to obtain a purchase and maintain the post in anerect position, so that I not only provide the tapering sides to steadythe post, but use the anchor to coact with this specific construction topositively resist the strain of the weight of the wire, and thus insureagainst the fence sagging.

I have specifically described the shape of the post,which I regard asquite essential, inasmuch as it affords a substantial means for takingthe strain and at the same time allowing of a light and durableconstructionthat is to say, that should the post have a tendency to leanin the direction of the arrow A the flat face 2 would bind hard againstthe upper edge 13 of the slot and the rib 3 would likewise bind againstthe lower edge 14 of the portion 12 of the slot. In such a case the flatface becomes a brace for the rib, whereas if the leaning of the postshould be in the reverse direction the opposite edges 15 and 16 wouldact on the respective face and rib and the latter becomes the brace forthe former. Like weaknesses may be overcome in the endwise leaning ofthe post, the edge of the flat face receiving the strain and acting as abrace and distributing it throughout the post structure.

What I claim as new is 1. A fence-post having a series of projectionsformed by indenting the metal and forcing same outwardly, and an anchorhaving an opening of the shape of the post and larger than thecross-sectional area of the same when supported by the projections,whereby the anchor will be raised freely on the post and away from theprojections when influenced by the frost.

2. A fence-post having a series of projeoname to this specification inpresence of two tions formed by indenting the metal and forc- Witnesses.ing same outwardly, and an anchor having an opening of thecross-seotiona1 shape of the GEORGE IRVING GRIGGS' 5 post, said anchorbeing supported by the pro- Witnesses:

jections. HARRY O. HILL,

In testimony whereof I have signed my DANIEL HEIMS.

